August 8 – Sept 5
A saint is someone through whom we catch a glimpse of what God is like — and of what we are called to be. In this series, we tell the story of a few of these folks from our rich heritage of faith. We celebrate their lives together and we learn from them, recognizing that the author of these stories is really the source of the grace by which these ‘saints’ live.
July 18 – Aug 1
“Glory to God” “Holy Holy” “In the Light of Your Salvation..” These are beautiful words with great depth of meaning that we often use in our worship and praise of our Lord. But do we really appreciate their meaning? In this series we take time to rediscover the meanings of words which we use to describe and worship our God as well as soak in some beautiful live sounds.
He was saved from a river, raised by an Egyptian princess, then banished to a foreign land and reduced to the life of a shepherd. While wandering in the wilderness, Moses was remarkably discovered by the God of his forefathers and this mysterious encounter was to transform his life definitively. In this exciting new series we join Moses in his incredible journey side by side and face to face with Yahweh, who is dead set on redeeming His people Israel and making them his own. Be inspired and challenged afresh by these age-old stories of the first and greatest prophet before our Lord Jesus came to dwell with us.
April 11 – March 23
As we head towards Pentecost in the church calendar, we will be looking at the biblical emblems (or symbols) of the Holy Spirit. Each emblem beautifully expresses something of the Holy Spirit’s personality and healing ministry. The Holy Spirit is moving in each of us to enliven, to nurture, to empower, to renew, to purify and to refine. Let’s open our hearts to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Eastern hills community church meets at 10:15am each Sunday at Yarrunga Community Centre. 76-86 Croydon Hills Drive, Croydon Hills.
Sunday church is a refreshing time of fairtrade tea & coffee, celebration, prayer, sharing and learning about God. Children are invited to playground church during the service.
Lent is always a very special time of the year. It’s the season when together we allow the Spirit to rework our hearts and lives closer to Jesus’ way. It is a time of preparing for the wonderful celebration of Easter. And so we join Jesus’ followers through his ministry and on towards Jerusalem, being challenged by him (even disciplined by him!), learning from him, thanking God for him, opening our lives to him. This year we are going to focus on Jesus’ parables for Sunday Services. These revolutionary stories confront us and create new possibilities of taking up ones cross and joining in Jesus’ movement.
Please be at Yarrunga at 10am – 10:15am to get your fairtrade cuppa and have a chat before our beautiful opening meditations on Easter symbols at 10:30am.
Two Lenten Challenges from this Series:
The Lenten Fast
Reflect on your general lifestyle and the many things that fill your time. Are there any fairly superficial (though no doubt fun!) activities that tend to take up great chunks of your spare time? Why not decide to cut right back or even go cold turkey over Lent for one or two of these extras. Then use the time you have found to spend with God.
You could read through a gospel, start to pray more regularly (learn some different ways to pray), get into the practice of sharing your spiritual yearnings and struggles with your friends/house mates/spouse. Maybe you could get back into journalling too. This simple change in your lifestyle is just the thing needed to help you open your life to God’s Spirit working in you.
The Hospitality Challenge
Just as Lent is about opening your life to God’s Spirit working in you and renewing you from within, it is also a valuable time to put more time into others. Sit down and think about how you can bless the people God has placed around you. Maybe you could invite those neighbours you’ve been getting to know over for a meal, maybe you know someone that is going through a lonely time and you know they would love a visit. Perhaps you have other gifts and resources at your fingertips that can be a real blessing to those around you in ways i can’t even imagine. Just do it! Get out there and give it a go. And once you get a taste for it, I’m sure it will quickly turn from a discipline into a passion.
Matt J
Harold Taylor shares on Healing – Jan 31 – February 14
Harold Taylor from the Order of St Luke and author of ‘Sent to Heal: A handbook on Christian Healing’ is our guest for this three week series at Yarrunga. Harold will be sharing with us about Christian healing and what it means to be a healing community.
Dec 27th – Boxing Day Celebration 10:30am in small hall. Celebrate the true tradition of boxing day and hear Neal Taylor share about Holy Fools.
Jan 3 – New Years Reflection 10:30am in small hall. Spend some special time in reflection over the year past and year to come.
Jan 10 – No service.
Jan 17 – Summer celebration – 10:30am in big hall.
Jan 24 – No service at Yarrunga. Listen out for alternative plans.